This signalled the start of a promising period for Newbury, with the impressive Jazz Bird winning a couple of corners on the right. Beesley was also fouled just to the left of the area and Kendall Gilmour’s direct free kick drifted just wide of the right hand post. From one Newbury corner, the ball fell inside the area for Harkness to shoot first time, but her goal-bound effort was blocked a few yards out by her own player unfortunately. Taplow gradually came back into the contest, with Newbury’s goalkeeper, Kat Brown, tested from long range, but she saved well low to her left. Then in the 22nd minute, a clash in the Newbury box saw a penalty awarded for Taplow United. The penalty taker made no mistake and duly dispatched her spot kick to give the home side a one nil lead.

Just a minute later and the Referee ruled that Newbury’s Nicky Isted had fouled a player on the edge of the box and she received a caution, as well as Taplow being given a free kick. The set piece was too high however and Newbury escaped further punishment. As half time approached, Newbury were able to get back on level terms in the 39th minute, after good play in midfield from Harkness and Gilmour. The latter’s pass released Hill, who seeing the Taplow keeper off her line, scored a wonderful lobbed shot from 25 yards out. This sparked a flurry of chances for both sides in what was a frantic final few minutes of the first half. With Newbury winning a corner, they tried to take it quickly and short, but some mis-communication saw Taplow steal possession and again break at speed. They were able to score their second goal of the game and Newbury were down 2-1 right on the stroke of half time, which was a big psychological blow. Worse was to come however before the re-start after the goal, as defender, Isted had made a desperate attempt to challenge the Taplow striker, before she had shot at goal. The Referee had no hesitation in showing a second yellow card to Isted and the red card quickly followed. She was dismissed and Newbury were down to ten players. They needed the half time break to re-group and re-organise.

The second half started with Taplow coming at Newbury full throttle, really putting the ten players of Newbury under severe pressure. In the first ten minutes, Kat Brown was called upon to pull off three excellent saves in a row, where she really kept Newbury in the game. But just after the hour mark, a Newbury defender gave away a free kick just outside the area and the set piece was just too good, with the ball hitting the top corner and this gave Taplow United a comfortable 3-1 lead.

Newbury’s players showed great character and work rate, and they refused to buckle. They were still looking for a way back into the contest, but despite having some chances, they were unable to finish and that would prove the difference. In the final quarter of an hour, Newbury’s management gambled by changing to a back three and throwing on an extra striker. It proved fruitless however, as Taplow were able to take advantage in the 79th minute, by scoring a fourth goal. They then added a fifth on 85 minutes and saw out a comprehensive 5-1 win. The score-line was harsh on Newbury, but it just wasn’t their day. Taplow United on the other hand, gave the sort of gritty performance that wins titles and they certainly look a good bet for promotion this season.

Match report by Sue Hewett